Structured with sweet tannins, power, and oak, this blend combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. Together they offer notes of black licorice, vanilla, currant and dark cherry, brooding and approachable.
Harvested, vinified, and aged with an identical commitment to quality as our principal wines, this classic Napa blend comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon expresses luscious flavors that can only come from exceptional fruit.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietals: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Aging: 21 months in French oak barrels - 75% new, 25% seasoned
Bottled: July 2020
Alcohol: 14.6%
Production: 223 barrels
Optimal Drinking Window: 2020 - 2030
2019 Blackbird Vineyards Arise, Napa Valley Red Wine 1.5L
93 points - Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes
Plum, cherry, pomegranate, tobacco, forest floor, nutmeg, black pepper, and blood orange zest in a very integrated yet complex nose. Good mid-palate richness with blackberry jam, plum and cherry, tobacco, and earthy notes, tannins are plush and rich. The wine ends with good length, finishing with crushed strawberries, plum jam, and milk chocolate.
This classic Napa blend is primarily comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. It’s elegance and purity of flavor come from exceptional vineyards, minimal winemaking intervention, a deep understanding of the nuanced interplay of wine and oak, and countless hours of tasting.
Vintage
The 2019 growing season was exceptional for many reasons. However, copious rain in springtime gave vines the leg up they needed. The weather in 2019 was in exceptional balance, much like the wines. 2019 endowed Napa with a scattering of hot days later mellowed by cool, consistent weather. This continued throughout the bountiful harvest. This is a vintage in which natural acidity, elegance, and freshness were in no short supply. Leading to high-quality wines with tremendous structure and aging potential.
Vineyards
Hudson Vineyard - Perched on a rolling hillside in the cool climate of Carneros, the Hudson Vineyard is a high-quality fruit source for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Star Vineyard - Located in the heart of the legendary Rutherford appellation, Star Vineyard vines get wonderful sun exposure which creates powerful, luscious Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.
Stagecoach Vineyard - Atop the Vaca Mountains south of Pritchard Hill, the rocky, volcanic terroir of the Stagecoach Vineyard produces intense Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Crocker & Starr Vineyard - The Crocker & Starr Vineyard’s deep pocket of well-drained gravel creates aromatic Cabernet Franc with impressive structure and finesse.
Ballard Vineyard - Located on Spring Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon from Ballard maintains balance acidity from the cool nights and elevation. The mountain influence on fruit lends structure and big tannins to round out the wine.
Blackbird was founded in 2003 with the goal of handcrafting truly expressive wines from Napa Valley, focusing on Bordeaux varieties. Our wines are an expression of the dynamic terroir of Napa Valley. Only 30 miles long and five miles wide, Napa Valley offers a stunning diversity of soils, climate, and topographical conditions suitable for growing world-class wine grapes. With our winemaker Aaron Pott’s guidance, Blackbird’s approach to production relies on multi-sourced vineyards and varieties, allowing for a harmonious whole, greater than the sum of its parts.
Under the guidance of acclaimed “Winemaker of the Year” Aaron Pott, we craft Bordeaux-inspired wine with incredible Napa Valley grapes. We prefer to be uncaged. Instead of relying on one single vineyard, we spread our wings and source grapes from all over Napa Valley. We’ve garnered a cult following over the past 20 years and invite you to join our flock.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI
@losthighwayz suggestive, sure. But with rats coming I’d rather see what they have to say. So far it sounds like the oak is managed well and this is not an oak bomb.
@losthighwayz I did not taste oak. When I said I smelt wood, it’s more of a pencil shavings. And nothing like having a 2nd taste at 11am . I don’t smell vanilla but still taste the blackberry, plum and cherry. The tannins are there but not heavy on the tongue. Nice full body with that first taste of tartness. So excited to share this with our friends at our holiday meal.
@danandlisa
I used to feel that way but I have found they are perfect for 2 couples or even for Andrea and I over a couple of days. Plus it’s always more fun to drink a mag
received and saved for a special dinner I was making tonight for my daughter and I.
When uncorked and did a small pour, it was dark ruby in color. I was a tad worried that I was opening this heavy red wine blend to go with our lamb mediterranean dish that I was in the middle of making. I swirled it in my glass and could smell hints of cherry, berry and wood. I decided to let our glasses sit for a bit until I had finished making our dinner.
When we sat with dinner in front of us, we took our first sips of Arise, having tastes of plum, blackberry and cherry, with medium bodied and some tannins. So pleasantly surprised with this red blend! It as absolutely delicious with our mediterranean dish!
Absolutely don’t pass up Arise, by Blackbird Vineyards. What a delight to the pallet! I feel bad, my husband missed out on this fabulous bottle. Looking to buy a few so he can experience this beauty. Looking forward to pairing it with a good ribeye or our favorite homemade pasta dish!!
@jennyrenard can you help us out with more information? How’s the acidity? Oak? Secondary characteristics? How did it evolve being open? Potential for ageing well? Any heat on the nose or palate?
@klezman there is some acidity or tartness to my first couple sips and just melted in my mouth. That tart berry became more jammy. I did let it sit for about an hour before we tasted. The longer it sat the better it got. Maybe should have decanted it. But it did open up all on it’s own. I did not taste any oak to it at all. I do feel with aging it will be even better.
Big thanks to Alice and Wine Country Connect for another Lab Rat opportunity! Our thoughts from looking at the bottle and the fact it is a Friday selection made us think that this had the potential to be a real treat, and it turns out it was!
Three of us stepped up for lab rat duty and after letting the bottle sit uncorked for about 20 minutes we started with some sniffs. All three agreed that the first and strongest aroma was cherry, lots of sweet cherry. A bit less noticeable was a fresh herbal scent, which one sniffer said reminded her of leaves and flowers. The appearance of the wine is very dark and opaque prune juice color with big legs.
First sips confirmed the cherry flavor, as well as some dark fruits like plum and blueberry. The fruit scent gives an impression of sweetness, but the wine is not a sweet fruit bomb. There is also a little oak and a hint of spice, which may be what accounts for the fresh herbal scent. One of the most interesting things that we all noticed, albeit if different ways, were the tannins. Tannins are present and while not terribly strong, there was something different about the tannin feel and our perceptions of that feel. I personally really liked how the wine felt in the mouth. One other taster thought that overall, the tannins were a bit too much making the wine a little “rough”, while the third only noticed some roughness at the end of what was otherwise a robust, complex taste. My thought was that the initial flavors really bloom and linger at the end of each sip.
We all agreed that this was going to be a good food wine and sure enough, with cheddar, gouda and salami, the flavors of both the wine and the food complemented one another to a nice degree. One taster said she felt it would hold up well to heavier meats and tomato sauces and I agree.
There was about one glass left in the bottle and we corked it and left it on the counter until the following evening. Not much really changed over 24 hours and the descriptions above still applied.
Although this is a Bordeaux style blend, it has its own characteristics that stand it apart. As mentioned, the tannins are noticeable, but also kind of unique. It has sweet fruit aromas but is not a sweet wine. The lingering finish makes it richer than many generic blends. I thought it was delicious and I’m waiting to see the Casemates price and hoping it is something less than some of the Black-Tie Friday selections!
How much more are you saving by buying 2 Magnums?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Blackbird Vineyards Arise Magnums ~ Napa Valley Red Wine - $20 = 12.5%
Wine Enthusiast. 90 Points. Structured with sweet tannins, power and oak, this blend combines 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot. Together they offer notes of black licorice, vanilla, currant and dark cherry, brooding and approachable. VB 11/21
Vinous Media. 92 Points. The 2018 Arise, the entry-level wine from Blackbird, is absolutely delicious. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, mint, sage, licorice and mocha race out of the glass. Medium in body and beautifully perfumed, Arise is a terrific introduction to this lineup.
Wine Spectator. 91 Points. Ripe and sleek in feel, with cassis and plum purée notes racing through, laced with black licorice and a kiss of sweet toast. A good graphite edge frames the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 5,575 cases made. James Molesworth.
James Suckling. 93 Points. Beautiful aromas of blackberry, chocolate and some earth. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a creamy-textured finish. Elegant and focused. A blend of 37% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 26% cabernet franc, 6% syrah and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate. 92 Points. Composed of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Arise Proprietary Red strides boldly out of the glass with notes of ripe blackberries, Morello cherries and redcurrant jelly with hints of pencil shavings and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely tension and lots of crunchy black and red berry layers, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with an invigorating lift. Drink 2021-2034. LPB 2/21
Decanter. 91 Points. Dusty, herbal and black-fruited on the nose, with hints of graphite and pencil lead. The palate is silky, precise and doesn’t feel heavy-handed in the least. Despite the atypical cepage, a stellar value and an accurate representation of the 2018 vintage. Drinking Window 2022 - 2026
Connoisseurs’ Guide. 90 Points. 37% Cabernet Sauvignon; 27% Merlot; 26% Cabernet Franc; 6% Syrah; 4% Petit Verdot. There is a bit of implied plushness to this wine’s generously fruited, judiciously oaked, up-front aromas of ripe cherries and plums, and, while initially fairly open, slightly fleshy and tad juicy in taste, this one turns out to be a little more seriously built with good bones for age. Firming, slightly drying tannins do close in at the finish without obscuring its otherwise engaging fruit, and, what starts out as a wine that forecasts easy, early drinkability is, in fact, one well worth setting aside for a few years.
Jeb Dunnuck. 90 Points. The 2018 Arise Proprietary Red checks in as a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Syrah and Petit Verdot. Functioning as an entry level wine from this estate, it has impressive purity in its dark fruits, truffle, chocolate, and herbal aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and undeniably satisfying, I’d be happy to drink a glass any time over the coming 8-10 years or so. Best After 2021
The 2019:
Jeb Dunnuck. 93 Points. I loved the nose on the 2019 Arise Proprietary Red, and it’s loaded with red and black fruits, darker herbs, chocolate, and peppery nuances. Slightly fresher than the 2018, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great texture, ripe tannins, and shines for its elegance and balance.
James Suckling. 92 Points. Blueberry, blackcurrant and dark-mushroom aromas follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Tangy orange rind at the end. 36% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 21% cabernet franc, 8% syrah and 5% petit verdot. Drink now.
Wine Advocate. 92 Points. The 2019 Arise Proprietary Red is a seductive, svelte blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 8% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. Full-bodied but nicely supple and polished, it delivers notes of blueberries, cherries, dark chocolate and mocha, then caps those off with a long, velvety finish. Maybe it could use a bit more muscle and concentration, but there’s no denying its upfront appeal and elegance. In the context of Napa, it’s even reasonably priced. Drink 2022-2030. Joe Czerwinski. 9/22.
Vinous Media. 91 Points. The 2019 Arise is bold, juicy and super-expressive. A burst of inky dark fruit, licorice, lavender and spice lends terrific immediacy to this succulent, entry-level offering from Blackbird.
From the winery, not sure about the date, a little blurb about Pott here
Personally I’ve rather enjoyed previous vintages of this and am a bit of an Aaron Pott fan. But I need mags like I need a hole in the head…hmmm…
@kaolis@TimW Scary that at what the main page describes as a “whopping $120/magnum,” this is categorized as “this succulent, entry-level offering from Blackbird”
All of our Blackbird wines are consistently 90+ points, beautiful wines. Beginning with the 2018 vintage we began producing in our state of the art winery in Napa giving a tremendous amount of flexibility and control to our winemaker Aaron Pott.
I opened it up to not much of a nose. Sip, cherry, and vanilla, no, cherry and white tootsie roll, yum!
The next day, try again. Some mild but noticeable tannin, herbaceous tannin. Getting some tobacco on the finish. Still cherry and slightly vanilla. Giving the glass some big swirls releases a subtle, fruity nose.
Rapid fire random thoughts: Medium acidity. Dry blend. Fruity nose. Perhaps coffee ground chocolatey leather-ish musty finish but also slightly spiced. Dark inky garnet look. Taste maybe blueberry pie dusted with Hershey’s cocoa powder? Subtle plum and dark fruit nose. Even a woody finish? A tiny bit funky and really nice.
I think everyone at a holiday party would be pleased if not pleasantly surprised by how this wine drinks and progresses throughout the evening. It is pleasingly unique.
https://funvizeo.com/meme/do-you-feel-lucky-punk-meme-da7c220e209e91e3
Why are so many dumping on Magnums? They are great for family gatherings, they age better than 750’s and make an impressive offering. I bought a double magnum on “the old site” and received the golden ticket bottle.
Great points - anyone opening 2 or more 750ml’s is ready for a magnum at their table, they’re aging wonderfully, ready to drink now or hold on to in your cellar for a future gathering!
was delivered to me on Wednesday, its always a treat to be chosen and taste something for the group here.
The blend is similar to bdx blend with a little syrah thrown in. The largest component is cabernet which is in the 34% range. ( I already tossed the bottle the bottle so this from memory.)
The wine poured a garnet red with medium color depth, meaning its a darker red but you can still slightly see through it in the glass. The wine was clear and free of sediment.
The nose was actually slightly subdued for a youthful napa red, mostly black/blue fruits, some plum, a little wet stone and mild oak. This time of year my nose can get a bit stuffy with allergies so apologies if your experience is different with this wine. Really nice aroma that doesn’t overpower but you can still smell a few feet from the glass.
Tasting the wine, it packs a bit more of a punch on the taste buds. Its dry, full bodied, moderate acidity, medium drying tannins. Its definitely flavorful. Very similar notes to the nose. Blue fruit and plum seems to dominate more here. The oak is more noticeable as well, I would not call this an oak bomb by any means. I’m not looking for a solid red from Napa that’s oak free. I felt like the syrah really sung here while tasting despite being a minor component.
Conclusion:
I had this on its own after a dinner of nachos, I would have preferred to have tried it with appropriate food but that wasn’t in the cards last night. But my impression was this is a solid wine to serve at your holiday table, I assume that was the intent of the magnum sale here and I think its a good choice. It wont overpower red meat, I would personally go with something milder for poultry but poured for happy hour(s) its a win for thanksgiving as well.
If I were hosting any holiday gatherings, I would consider a purchase here.
For the record, I had a 375ml of a much earlier vintage of this wine or a similar blend from Blackbird that I did not care for many years ago.
@CorTot One added note, I unintentionally did let this sit open for a full hour before I even tried it, not sure if that made an impact but I’m sure it didn’t hurt the overall experience.
Hmmmmmm. My order shipped 11/19 and is expected to be delivered on 11/28. I wonder what temperature controls are being used over those 9 nights in the brown trucks.
2018 Blackbird Vineyards Arise, Napa Valley Red Wine 1.5L
92 points - Vinous / Antonio Galloni
90 points ~ Wine Enthusiast
Video: 2018 Arise with Winemaker Aaron Pott
Tasting Notes
Specs
2019 Blackbird Vineyards Arise, Napa Valley Red Wine 1.5L
93 points - Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes
Vintage
Vineyards
Specs
What’s Included
1-bottle:
2-bottles:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $240/ 2 bottles MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 5 - Thursday, Dec 8
Blackbird Vineyards Arise Magnums ~ Napa Valley
$79.99 - $139.99
2018
2019
Napa Oak Bombs. No Thank You.
@losthighwayz have you had these before? If not, what are you being that comment on?
@klezman @losthighwayz
Believe it or not this is not a oak bomb, more like a right bank BDX, you should give it a try.
@klezman 75 percent new oak; vanilla in tasting notes for the 2018 are a good indicator wouldn’t you agree? That being said, I’ve never had this wine!
@losthighwayz suggestive, sure. But with rats coming I’d rather see what they have to say. So far it sounds like the oak is managed well and this is not an oak bomb.
@losthighwayz I did not taste oak. When I said I smelt wood, it’s more of a pencil shavings. And nothing like having a 2nd taste at 11am
. I don’t smell vanilla but still taste the blackberry, plum and cherry. The tannins are there but not heavy on the tongue. Nice full body with that first taste of tartness. So excited to share this with our friends at our holiday meal.
Was excited until I saw the Magnums.
@danandlisa Same here! A magnum is just too much.
@danandlisa
I used to feel that way but I have found they are perfect for 2 couples or even for Andrea and I over a couple of days. Plus it’s always more fun to drink a mag
@danandlisa I love having the magnums for dinner parties and the holidays are right around the corner to be sharing this tasty wine.
@ScottW58 When you finally make the leap, we can share one
@jennyrenard All my friends that around here don’t drink wine.
@danandlisa Hmmm, they are missing out.
@danandlisa @jennyrenard
You picked the wrong friends
@danandlisa @ScottW58 all my friends are wine drinkers. So there is no problem there, except that I have to share
@danandlisa @jennyrenard @ScottW58
Or, perhaps, the right ones!
@danandlisa @jennyrenard @Mark_L
Lol
@danandlisa @Mark_L @ScottW58
2018 Blackbird Vineyards Arise
received and saved for a special dinner I was making tonight for my daughter and I.
When uncorked and did a small pour, it was dark ruby in color. I was a tad worried that I was opening this heavy red wine blend to go with our lamb mediterranean dish that I was in the middle of making. I swirled it in my glass and could smell hints of cherry, berry and wood. I decided to let our glasses sit for a bit until I had finished making our dinner.
When we sat with dinner in front of us, we took our first sips of Arise, having tastes of plum, blackberry and cherry, with medium bodied and some tannins. So pleasantly surprised with this red blend! It as absolutely delicious with our mediterranean dish!
Absolutely don’t pass up Arise, by Blackbird Vineyards. What a delight to the pallet! I feel bad, my husband missed out on this fabulous bottle. Looking to buy a few so he can experience this beauty. Looking forward to pairing it with a good ribeye or our favorite homemade pasta dish!!
@jennyrenard can you help us out with more information? How’s the acidity? Oak? Secondary characteristics? How did it evolve being open? Potential for ageing well? Any heat on the nose or palate?
@klezman there is some acidity or tartness to my first couple sips and just melted in my mouth. That tart berry became more jammy. I did let it sit for about an hour before we tasted. The longer it sat the better it got. Maybe should have decanted it. But it did open up all on it’s own. I did not taste any oak to it at all. I do feel with aging it will be even better.
Blackbird Vineyards Arise 2019
Big thanks to Alice and Wine Country Connect for another Lab Rat opportunity! Our thoughts from looking at the bottle and the fact it is a Friday selection made us think that this had the potential to be a real treat, and it turns out it was!
Three of us stepped up for lab rat duty and after letting the bottle sit uncorked for about 20 minutes we started with some sniffs. All three agreed that the first and strongest aroma was cherry, lots of sweet cherry. A bit less noticeable was a fresh herbal scent, which one sniffer said reminded her of leaves and flowers. The appearance of the wine is very dark and opaque prune juice color with big legs.
First sips confirmed the cherry flavor, as well as some dark fruits like plum and blueberry. The fruit scent gives an impression of sweetness, but the wine is not a sweet fruit bomb. There is also a little oak and a hint of spice, which may be what accounts for the fresh herbal scent. One of the most interesting things that we all noticed, albeit if different ways, were the tannins. Tannins are present and while not terribly strong, there was something different about the tannin feel and our perceptions of that feel. I personally really liked how the wine felt in the mouth. One other taster thought that overall, the tannins were a bit too much making the wine a little “rough”, while the third only noticed some roughness at the end of what was otherwise a robust, complex taste. My thought was that the initial flavors really bloom and linger at the end of each sip.
We all agreed that this was going to be a good food wine and sure enough, with cheddar, gouda and salami, the flavors of both the wine and the food complemented one another to a nice degree. One taster said she felt it would hold up well to heavier meats and tomato sauces and I agree.
There was about one glass left in the bottle and we corked it and left it on the counter until the following evening. Not much really changed over 24 hours and the descriptions above still applied.
Although this is a Bordeaux style blend, it has its own characteristics that stand it apart. As mentioned, the tannins are noticeable, but also kind of unique. It has sweet fruit aromas but is not a sweet wine. The lingering finish makes it richer than many generic blends. I thought it was delicious and I’m waiting to see the Casemates price and hoping it is something less than some of the Black-Tie Friday selections!
@cdgrimm Bordeaux style blend, except for the inclusion of 6% Syrah.
@ddeuddeg yes, and I think it makes a difference.
How much more are you saving by buying 2 Magnums?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Blackbird Vineyards Arise Magnums ~ Napa Valley Red Wine - $20 = 12.5%
The 2018:
Wine Enthusiast. 90 Points. Structured with sweet tannins, power and oak, this blend combines 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot. Together they offer notes of black licorice, vanilla, currant and dark cherry, brooding and approachable. VB 11/21
Vinous Media. 92 Points. The 2018 Arise, the entry-level wine from Blackbird, is absolutely delicious. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, mint, sage, licorice and mocha race out of the glass. Medium in body and beautifully perfumed, Arise is a terrific introduction to this lineup.
Wine Spectator. 91 Points. Ripe and sleek in feel, with cassis and plum purée notes racing through, laced with black licorice and a kiss of sweet toast. A good graphite edge frames the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 5,575 cases made. James Molesworth.
James Suckling. 93 Points. Beautiful aromas of blackberry, chocolate and some earth. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a creamy-textured finish. Elegant and focused. A blend of 37% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 26% cabernet franc, 6% syrah and 4% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate. 92 Points. Composed of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 4% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Arise Proprietary Red strides boldly out of the glass with notes of ripe blackberries, Morello cherries and redcurrant jelly with hints of pencil shavings and fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely tension and lots of crunchy black and red berry layers, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with an invigorating lift. Drink 2021-2034. LPB 2/21
Decanter. 91 Points. Dusty, herbal and black-fruited on the nose, with hints of graphite and pencil lead. The palate is silky, precise and doesn’t feel heavy-handed in the least. Despite the atypical cepage, a stellar value and an accurate representation of the 2018 vintage. Drinking Window 2022 - 2026
Connoisseurs’ Guide. 90 Points. 37% Cabernet Sauvignon; 27% Merlot; 26% Cabernet Franc; 6% Syrah; 4% Petit Verdot. There is a bit of implied plushness to this wine’s generously fruited, judiciously oaked, up-front aromas of ripe cherries and plums, and, while initially fairly open, slightly fleshy and tad juicy in taste, this one turns out to be a little more seriously built with good bones for age. Firming, slightly drying tannins do close in at the finish without obscuring its otherwise engaging fruit, and, what starts out as a wine that forecasts easy, early drinkability is, in fact, one well worth setting aside for a few years.
Jeb Dunnuck. 90 Points. The 2018 Arise Proprietary Red checks in as a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Syrah and Petit Verdot. Functioning as an entry level wine from this estate, it has impressive purity in its dark fruits, truffle, chocolate, and herbal aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured, and undeniably satisfying, I’d be happy to drink a glass any time over the coming 8-10 years or so. Best After 2021
The 2019:
Jeb Dunnuck. 93 Points. I loved the nose on the 2019 Arise Proprietary Red, and it’s loaded with red and black fruits, darker herbs, chocolate, and peppery nuances. Slightly fresher than the 2018, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great texture, ripe tannins, and shines for its elegance and balance.
James Suckling. 92 Points. Blueberry, blackcurrant and dark-mushroom aromas follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Tangy orange rind at the end. 36% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 21% cabernet franc, 8% syrah and 5% petit verdot. Drink now.
Wine Advocate. 92 Points. The 2019 Arise Proprietary Red is a seductive, svelte blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 8% Syrah and 5% Petit Verdot. Full-bodied but nicely supple and polished, it delivers notes of blueberries, cherries, dark chocolate and mocha, then caps those off with a long, velvety finish. Maybe it could use a bit more muscle and concentration, but there’s no denying its upfront appeal and elegance. In the context of Napa, it’s even reasonably priced. Drink 2022-2030. Joe Czerwinski. 9/22.
Vinous Media. 91 Points. The 2019 Arise is bold, juicy and super-expressive. A burst of inky dark fruit, licorice, lavender and spice lends terrific immediacy to this succulent, entry-level offering from Blackbird.
From the winery, not sure about the date, a little blurb about Pott here
Personally I’ve rather enjoyed previous vintages of this and am a bit of an Aaron Pott fan. But I need mags like I need a hole in the head…hmmm…
fwiw
@kaolis 44 Magnum
@ttboy23 ha!
@kaolis wow…lots of good reviews!
@kaolis @TimW Scary that at what the main page describes as a “whopping $120/magnum,” this is categorized as “this succulent, entry-level offering from Blackbird”
@pmarin @TimW yep, $60 per 750 on the website, and this is their entry wine… $120 is hardly whopping in Napa though right?
@kaolis @pmarin @TimW and especially for a mag considering what Costco was just getting for some Mondavi To-Kalon 750’s
@kaolis @TimW
All of our Blackbird wines are consistently 90+ points, beautiful wines. Beginning with the 2018 vintage we began producing in our state of the art winery in Napa giving a tremendous amount of flexibility and control to our winemaker Aaron Pott.
ordered:
@kaolis definitely better than a hole in the head! Enjoy your magnums!
I’m not a magnum fan, but this sounds really good. I’ll bring them to Christmas dinner with my extended family.
/giphy divergent-downy-poltergeist
@gemeinschaft79 Perfect for gatherings! I know you and your family will enjoy them!
Bought my magnum for the holidays!
@jennyrenard Thank you!
Sounds like quality Napa juice. However, all my held summer purchases just came in and I’m insanely overloaded.
the 2018 here
I opened it up to not much of a nose. Sip, cherry, and vanilla, no, cherry and white tootsie roll, yum!
The next day, try again. Some mild but noticeable tannin, herbaceous tannin. Getting some tobacco on the finish. Still cherry and slightly vanilla. Giving the glass some big swirls releases a subtle, fruity nose.
Rapid fire random thoughts: Medium acidity. Dry blend. Fruity nose. Perhaps coffee ground chocolatey leather-ish musty finish but also slightly spiced. Dark inky garnet look. Taste maybe blueberry pie dusted with Hershey’s cocoa powder? Subtle plum and dark fruit nose. Even a woody finish? A tiny bit funky and really nice.
I think everyone at a holiday party would be pleased if not pleasantly surprised by how this wine drinks and progresses throughout the evening. It is pleasingly unique.
@connorbush hmm, weird, I am 99% certain I uploaded a photo too… Odd, I do not see it now.
@winedavid49 @wccwinegirl
any chance this will make it by T-Day?
@rjquillin Good question.
@CorTot @rjquillin We aren’t guaranteeing it but most people will receive it by Thanksgiving (especially those on the west coast).
https://funvizeo.com/meme/do-you-feel-lucky-punk-meme-da7c220e209e91e3
Why are so many dumping on Magnums? They are great for family gatherings, they age better than 750’s and make an impressive offering. I bought a double magnum on “the old site” and received the golden ticket bottle.
@forlich
Great points - anyone opening 2 or more 750ml’s is ready for a magnum at their table, they’re aging wonderfully, ready to drink now or hold on to in your cellar for a future gathering!
@BlackbirdFlock
Thanks for the offer, and hanging with us for a bit.
What was your prior offer(s) here?
@rjquillin We had featured AERENA Rose a couple years back but we no longer produce that brand.
@BlackbirdFlock @rjquillin I enjoyed that one!
Good Morning Casemateers!
A 750ml bottle of the
2019 Blackbird Arise
was delivered to me on Wednesday, its always a treat to be chosen and taste something for the group here.
The blend is similar to bdx blend with a little syrah thrown in. The largest component is cabernet which is in the 34% range. ( I already tossed the bottle the bottle so this from memory.)
The wine poured a garnet red with medium color depth, meaning its a darker red but you can still slightly see through it in the glass. The wine was clear and free of sediment.
The nose was actually slightly subdued for a youthful napa red, mostly black/blue fruits, some plum, a little wet stone and mild oak. This time of year my nose can get a bit stuffy with allergies so apologies if your experience is different with this wine. Really nice aroma that doesn’t overpower but you can still smell a few feet from the glass.
Tasting the wine, it packs a bit more of a punch on the taste buds. Its dry, full bodied, moderate acidity, medium drying tannins. Its definitely flavorful. Very similar notes to the nose. Blue fruit and plum seems to dominate more here. The oak is more noticeable as well, I would not call this an oak bomb by any means. I’m not looking for a solid red from Napa that’s oak free. I felt like the syrah really sung here while tasting despite being a minor component.
Conclusion:
I had this on its own after a dinner of nachos, I would have preferred to have tried it with appropriate food but that wasn’t in the cards last night. But my impression was this is a solid wine to serve at your holiday table, I assume that was the intent of the magnum sale here and I think its a good choice. It wont overpower red meat, I would personally go with something milder for poultry but poured for happy hour(s) its a win for thanksgiving as well.
If I were hosting any holiday gatherings, I would consider a purchase here.
For the record, I had a 375ml of a much earlier vintage of this wine or a similar blend from Blackbird that I did not care for many years ago.
Cheers!
@CorTot What, they didn’t shoot you a mag to try? I cry foul!
@kaolis Agreed!
@CorTot One added note, I unintentionally did let this sit open for a full hour before I even tried it, not sure if that made an impact but I’m sure it didn’t hurt the overall experience.
/giphy disrespectful-famous-eagle
Hmmmmmm. My order shipped 11/19 and is expected to be delivered on 11/28. I wonder what temperature controls are being used over those 9 nights in the brown trucks.